Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• The Dri-top Protector is the perfect answer for you.
• It’s made from a polyurethane nylon fabric and works just like a plastic or rubber mattress protector used in hospitals and children’s cots.
• The Dri-top fits between the Slipcover and the Inner mattress, protecting the bean filling from fluids and contamination whilst at the same time allowing your pet to enjoy a comfortable nights sleep …. and your pet’s bed still looks attractive!
• If there is an accident then the Dri-top and Slipcover can easily be removed for washing.
• We also recommend you consider purchasing an extra slipcover with your dog bed set. This will mean you a spare slipcover to put on your pet’s bed whilst the soiled one is in the wash. Your pet can then continue to use their bed.
• If you already have a Barka Parka dog bed you can purchase a Spare Dog Bed Slipcover at any time.

YES you can with the following observations:

• You MUST remove the beans first, as they trap fluids and take days to dry out if at all. There is a zip on the Inner mattress to make it easier to empty out the beans.

  Refer to the instructions How do I empty out the beans?

• Wash using a WARM or COLD normal machine wash cycle.  DO NOT BLEACH.

• The Inner Mattress will very rarely need washing as it's protected from dirt and hairs by the Slipcover - much like your own bed mattress. As long as you regularly wash the Slip-cover and keep it reasonably clean, then the Inner will not need to be washed.

• When you replace the beans (every few years) it is probably a good idea to take advantage and wash the Inner at the same time before adding new beans.

• If the Inner bed seems to smell “doggy” it may be that some hairs have got on the Inner especially on the bottom part not covered by the Slip-cover. Just give it a brushing with a clothes brush and you may find the smell disappears with no need to wash it as it is the dog hair that carries the smells.

• We also recommend that you hang the Inner mattress on the line to air now and again using the tabs found either side of the zip opening. This will freshen up the inner without needing to wash it. It’s a good idea to hang it out to air at the same time that you wash the slip-cover.

YES you can with the following observations:

• Use the WARM setting on your tumble drier then on COOL for a few minutes to prevent static.

• The Inner Mattress and Slipcover will dry very quickly on the washing line on good days. They also dry easily indoors on a clothes airer or back of a chair especially with central heating.

• DO NOT PLACE IN FRONT OF AN OPEN FIRE OR HEATER.

• Tumble drying can make the fabric static which will transfer to the beans making them difficult to control.

YES but it really isn't necessary most of the time.

The fabric has a crease resistant and crease recovery finish which helps maintain the bed's overall smartness and appearance.

Use a COOL iron setting.

NO. You MUST remove the beans first, as they trap fluids and take days to dry out if at all.

There is a zip on the Inner mattress to make it easier to empty out the beans.

Where is the best place to do it?

• The best place to do anything with beans is in the bath (ensure the plug is in to stop beans blocking the drain) as it provides a perfect receptor for catching runaway beans.
• Or in a garage or shed. Try to choose a cool day or in a cool place. Warm days and air can cause static making the beans difficult to control.
• Empty the beans into a suitably sized garbage or plastic bag. Place aside for refilling or discard in your normal garbage bin (not recycle).

How do I open the zip without a zip tag?

• Find the zip which is located between the tabs on the inner mattress. The zipper tab has been removed by law to prevent accidental opening by children. Use a paper clip to open. 

• Insert the paper clip into the gap where you would  normally find  the zip tab. Ensure the paper clip is placed UNDER the bar (shown in RED in the diagram below)  to release the zip locking mechanism. Lift and pull the paper clip to open and close the zip as normal.

N.B. Remove the paper clip when finished.

FABRIC:

• All our pet beds and accessories are made from a Poly-Cotton Twill fabric (66% Polyester 34% Cotton). This is the same fabric that the army use for their drill trousers so it is both tough and comfortable – we buy from the official supplier to the British Army.
• This twill fabric is woven in 5 directions making it a dense, strong fabric. The tight weave prevents dirt and hairs penetrating through the fabric into the dog bed filling. Hairs just sit on top of the fabric and don't get caught in the fibre threads like many other fabrics used in pet beds.  This fabric makes the Barka Parka odour and flea tolerant. We Guarantee it!
• This same fabric is also used for corporate uniforms such as bank tellers so it always looks smart and feels soft to the touch.
• This fabric is crease resistant so all products stay looking fresh and neat.  It needs little or no ironing.

FILLING:

We only use high qulaity polystyrene beans.

• Beans mould to your pet’s shape providing maximum support and comfort.
• Your pet can poke, pad and prod to make a nest just right for them.

For more details and photos go to our Dog Bed Design page

We us a Poly/cotton Twill for many reasons:

1. The twill weave – it is woven in 5 different directions making it impermeable to hairs and dirt. They just sit on the top and easily brush or wash away.
2. Very durable and tough even to cat claws. We Guarantee it!! It’s used by the Army for their drill trousers so it has to be tough!
3. It is smart and comfortable. It's used for corporate wear such as uniforms for bank tellers, airlines etc because it's looks great and easy care.
4. It even has a crease-resistant finish so it can be washed and dried with no need to iron.

We use Polystyrene beans as they mould to your pet’s shape.
Your pet can dig, poke and prod to make a nest just right for them. They ‘mimic’ the loose leaf litter that, in the wild, dogs would naturally make into a nest.
Your pet will satisfy it’s natural instincts to nest without destroying the bed to achieve this. They will then happily snuggle down in pure comfort and with maximum support.

We use only high quality polystyrene beans

• They are perfectly round, smooth pellets about 3 mm in size that shift more easily around each other.
• They also keep their shape better and longer, preventing your pet’s bean bed from flattening prematurely.
• High quality polystyrene beans will last longer before needing to be topped up or replaced. They are readily available from stores such as K-Mart, Big W and Target.

Beware of reground bean filling:

• Reground polystyrene beads are not pre-used but come from large blocks of polystyrene (Styrofoam) that are broken down to beads typically 3 - 4 mm in size. This method creates uneven pellets that stick together. The “beads” are uneven and can't shift easily around each other. Your pet may get frustrated as they're unable to make a comfortable “nest”.
• Reground polystyrene beads are cheaper, but have a much shorter active life. They will need replacing more often than Virgin polystyrene beans.

The Dri-top is made from a high grade Oxford 310 denier Polyurethane Nylon. We source it from a local Victorian company, Paskal.

Want a sample? Experiment with its waterproof qualities.
Complete our Request form and we’ll mail a sample to you within a couple of days..

Yes of course. Complete our Request form and we’ll mail a sample to you within a couple of days..

Yes you certainly can. We like to think of our pet beds as being just like your own bed with different coloured sheets to change the appearance of your room and/or décor. So of course you can have your Slip-covers in any colour combination you choose at no extra cost.

NO. We like to think of our pet beds as being just like your own bed with different coloured sheets to change the appearance of your room and/or décor. So of course you can have your dog bed and/or Slip-covers in any colour combination you choose at no extra cost.

Filled:

• Having your pet’s bed arrive filled means that you can open the parcel, “plop” it on
• the floor and your pet can immediately snuggle into it.  Happy pet, happy household!
• We fill the beds as a service to you.    It costs no more than doing it yourself!
• Hassle free!  Plus you get to see what the bed should look like with the perfect fill.
  This will make it easier to know how it should look when you have to top it up or refill it yourself in a few years time when the beans need replacing.
• Postage is but a few dollars more but far outweighs the inconvenience of filling it yourself.

N.B.  Australia Post will deliver filled beds Nationwide up to Size 50.
Larger sizes can only be sent unfilled or you can collect your order directly from us.   ALL overseas orders are sent unfilled.

Unfilled:

• Unfilled beds come as a flat pack.
• You fill the bed yourself.
• It can be a messy task as the beans have a life of themselves. 
  We do include instructions on how to fill the bed and the amount of beans needed.
• Unfilled sets are ideal for sending overseas.
• Easily carried in luggage if travelling interstate or overseas.

N.B.  Use NEW beans only. Old beans may contain dirt, flea eggs and pet hairs which carry smells, are then transferred to your new Barka Parka pet bed. Using OLD beans will void your 2 year guarantee!

ABSOLUTELY!

• In fact we recommend you start off your puppy’s life with a Barka Parka pet bed as it will provide it with a lifetime of support and comfort, possibly lengthening your pet’s overall lifespan.
• For large and giants dogs prone to arthritis and bone defects due to their size, a Barka Parka pet bed will possibly delay the onset of arthritis and bone problems.
• Puppies like comfort just as much as older dogs and they need the support and warmth that a good bed can provide. Since the main reason that any dog will chew its bedding is to try to make it more comfortable and because Barka Parka beds are already comfortable most puppies don't feel any particular need to chew the bed. It will grow up and into a Barka Parka.
• Of course puppies like to put things in their mouth (just like human infants), it’s part of their education, so we recommend that you supervise your puppy on its new bed for the first few hours or even days. If they do ‘have a go’ tell them NO. Be firm. Then give them a scratch or a cuddle just so they know you still love them, and provide them with a toy that they can chew on their bed.

No.

• All dogs, like people, suffer serious health consequences from having poor or inadequate bedding. This is especially true for large or giant breeds, so the sooner they get a good bed that supports them the better off they will be.
• Puppies also suffer, initially at least, from being separated from their mum and litter mates. We have all had the experience of a new puppy crying through the night because of this. A comfortable pet bed will help reduce the length and severity of this trauma. Besides, puppies like comfortable beds and they deserve one just as much as any dog.
• Let us know when you order a bed that you have a puppy. We will put some extra beans in the bed to make allowance for the reduced size when compared to a full grown dog. We will also supply you with a piece of plastic sheeting to protect the Inner Mattress during the toilet training period. By the time the puppy is full grown the beans will have compressed a little and the bed will still be correctly filled.

No, it would be an unnecessary expense for a temporary period of possible "accidents".

We suggest you cover the Inner Mattress with a garbage bag or suitable sized plastic bag during the toilet training period. We can supply you with a large plastic bag for our extra large dog bed sizes. Let us know you're ordering the bed for a puppy and we will include a plastic bag with your order.

• Puppies like comfort just as much as older dogs and they need the support and warmth that a good bed can provide. The main reason that any dog will chew its bedding is to try to make it more comfortable. Barka Parka beds are already comfortable so most puppies don't feel any particular need to chew the bed. It will grow up and into a Barka Parka.
• Of course puppies like to put things in their mouth (just like human infants), it’s part of their education, so we recommend that you supervise your puppy on its new bed for the first few hours or even days. If they do ‘have a go’ tell them NO. Be firm. Then give them a scratch or a cuddle just so they know you still love them, and provide them with a toy or bone that they can chew on their bed.

Please see our Returns Policy page for in-depth details.

Yes.   The Slipcover is elasticated like a fitted bed sheet. Just pull it off and place in the washing machine on a normal wash cycle.  Use cold or warm water. It's a good idea to brush, vacuum or shake off hairs and fluff before washing.

Yes, it certainly is easy.

The Slip-cover is elasticated like a fitted bed sheet so it’s as easy to remove – and replace.   Just pull the Slipcover off the Inner Mattress. No poppers or zips to struggle with. 

Yes absolutely.

Use a WARM setting on your tumble drier.

Of course the Slip-covers also dry beautifully on the line.

Yes you can.

Replacing the elastic will only be necessary after years of use and washing at which time the elastic may lose it’s tension. You will probably notice that the Slip-cover feels loose or keeps coming off.  It’s unlikely that the elastic will come apart as it is securely sewn together.

Yes you can in special circumstances but we strongly recommend against it.

• An All-over cover is so much harder to take off and replace for washing so you will probably be less inclined to do it. This means that smells may tend to build up and become unpleasant. Our unique elasticized Slip-cover is specifically designed for you to easily and quickly whip the cover off in a moment and put it back nearly as easily – so you’re more inclined to do it.

• Plus the bed may not work quite as well. It may not be quite as comfortable for your dog because it is so much harder to line up the top circle of the cover with the top circle of the inner bed will not allow the two components to work together. Its much like a doona cover- if you put the cover on crooked then you won’t expect it to lie flat or be comfortable. Your dog might chew at the bed in an attempt to make it more comfortable and destroy it.

• If your dog is constantly causing the Slip-cover to come off then we will gladly make an All-over cover for their bed. Contact us or phone us anytime on 03 9016 3394 or 0405 20 06 to discuss it with us.

Yes you can.

We keep the same colours as part of our permanent range so you can get the same colours or a new colour. Always check before you order to see if we have any new colours. Or send for a complimentary Fabric Swatch pack.   For more details and ordering go to our Spare Dog Bed Slipcovers page.

Yes you certainly can.

We like to think of our pet beds as being just like your own bed with different coloured sheets to change the appearance of your room and/or décor. So of course you can have your Slip-covers in any colour combination you choose at no extra cost.

Yes BUT only if it is fully protected from the weather, especially rain.
The pet bed fabric isn’t waterproof so if the beans become soaked they are fairly hard to dry out.

The Inner Mattress can be hung in the sun by the tabs, preferably with a bit of a breeze, and the beans will eventually dry out but it is something to be avoided.

The Poly/cotton fabric is primarily designed for interior use and clothing. It will tolerate the outside elements but it’s life span will be shortened and the fabric will fade.

NO. Never!
A Barka Parka is designed as a stand alone bed which provides support and comfort.

The frame will work directly against this. The Barka Parka will tend to fall off the sides of the frame and the beans will flow to the lowest point (the ground). This will end up with your dog only getting to use three thicknesses of fabric.

NO. Never!

• A Barka Parka dog bed is designed as a stand alone bed which provides support and comfort.
• The basket will work directly against this. Equally it is extremely unlikely that you would be able to get a basket large enough to fit both the bed and the dog and even if you did, the basket will add nothing to the comfort.
• In fact Barka Parka was first created precisely because of the manifest inadequacies of baskets in terms of both size and comfort.
• As many ‘baskets’ are in fact plastic buckets they will cause the bed to sweat and smell. Personally I recommend that if you have a plastic bucket style ‘basket’ and you buy a Barka Parka for your pet, drill a few holes in the bottom of the basket, fill it with soil and use it as a plant pot!!

Yes but we don’t really recommend it.

• As a Barka Parka dog bed is round and a kennel has straight sides, the difference in shape will work against each other.  
• It can sometimes work if you have a kennel large enough in its shortest dimension to take the Barka Parka (allowing for the fact that the Barka Parka can be squashed up a bit.( E.g.. A Size 45 Barka Parka will fit into a kennel 40 inches wide.)
• If you really want a Barka Parka specifically for your kennel just Contact us with the dimensions and we can tailor make a bed for you. Please note: this bed won’t be as comfortable if used outside the kennel as oblong bean beds don’t work nearly as well as round ones.

This is a tricky question and ultimately one that only you can answer as you know your pets the best!! We can only advise you based on our own experience and feedback from our clients.  Basically dogs usually like to sleep alone in shallow nests, near to the other members of the pack, but prefer to have a space of their own.

In the domestic environment we usually deny them the chance to make a nest, providing them with relatively unyielding bedding such as pads or blankets. As a consequence dogs will often replace the warmth and support they should get from their bedding by snuggling up to each other. As a result owners often conclude that our dogs like to sleep together.

Unfortunately it often turns out that the dominant dog, often a bitch and often the smaller dog, is simply using it’s mates as convenient bedding. Once they get a comfy pet bed the dominant pet will then take the bed for itself and push everyone else onto the floor.

At its worst if you have bought a large bed for two dogs, one large and one small, you will often find the small dog in the middle of a huge bed and the large dog on the floor. You end up with an unhappy pet and you’ve wasted your money!

Only you know your dogs so only you can decide which scenario yours fit into!

The only exception to the above are Cavalier and King Charles Spaniels which, because they were specifically bred to sleep in piles, will almost always share. (They were bred this way because King Charles II liked the aesthetic of piles of dogs around the palace).

If you feel certain that your pets will sleep together, or have Cavalier or King Charles Spaniels, then it is fine to get one bed for multiple dogs. Just combine their weights and get the bed for the total weight of the dogs.

Refer to the Dog Bed Size Chart for our suggested range of pet weight and dog bed sizing.